Yo lloré porque
no tenía zapatos
hasta que ví a un niño
que no tenía pies. Oswaldo Guayasamín
<I cried because
I had no shoes
Until I saw a boy
Who had no feet. > Translation TMW
Oswaldo Guayasamín is a painter capable of moving us from tenderness to terror in one stroke of the brush. Take a virtual walk through his museum (link below) and let me know which is your favourite work.
Just the other day I was perusing the stacks at the Ottawa Public Library when I happened upon a book of poetry by César Vallejo. César Vallejo, 1892-1938, is one of the most popular poets of Latin America and undoubtedly the most admired Peruvian poet. He pertains to sometimes the Surrealist movement, sometimes the Modernist movement, and always the Vanguard movement of the 1920’s. The poem I share today is titled, Los heraldos negros / The black heralds and it was published in 1918 slightly earlier than to be considered part of the Vanguard movement. In many ways, to me, it seems to relate to life today. Could it be that what was happening globally in the early 1900’s in some way is happening now-instability in world economies, overseas exploration/travel and therefore a longing for “home,” and identity questions with relation to heritage and religion? In Los heraldos negros, we witness an exploration of the human condition; of man and how he identifies with life and the powers above.
Hoy por la mañana al poner la radio conocí a Javier Camarena, otra tremenda voz Mexicana. Es cantante de ópera (Tenor) y aquí presenta como Ernesto en Don Pasquale de Donizetti. Tiene lugar en la MET Opera de Nueva York. Espero que lo disfrute. ¡TRES VUELTAS AL ESCENARIO! …¿Lo puede creer?
<This morning after putting on the radio, I met Javier Camarena, another powerful Mexican voice. He is a Tenor and here he is in the role of Ernesto in Don Pasquale by Donizetti. It takes place at the MET. I hope you enjoy it! THREE ENCORES! Can you believe it?> Translation TMW
Javier Camarena-3 encores at the MET! (Interview with NPR)
A lo cubano / Cuban style
Es verdad que cualquier ritmo cubano me atrae bastante, pero esta canción de Beny Moré tiene que ser una de mis preferidas, “Dónde estabas tú.” El video es super chistoso y espero que les guste.
<It is true that any Cuban rhythm is attractive to me, but this song by Beny Moré has to be one of my favourites, “Dónde estabas tú.” The video is quite funny and I hope you like it.>
I have received more than one hundred responses to my Dichos / Sayings post. Besides in English and Spanish, some entries arrived in Greek, German, Latin, Japanese, Italian and more. It seems pertinent to respond in English today.
Of the ones submitted, these are my favourites because they either make me think or make me laugh out loud.
India > In a gentle way you can shake the world (Activism/Power)
Japan > 石の上にも三年 Even the coldest rock will get warm if sat on for three years (Perseverance)
México > Esto está mas peligroso que barbero con hipo (Caution/Attention)
Latin America > Feliz feliz como una lombriz (Laughter/Simplicity)
Zimbabwe > The joy of a frog comes with the rain
These were the most repeated with more than 5 entries each and some with delightful linguistic variation. The first two make me wonder just how difficult life can be for many in our times. An overwhelming number have alluded to perseverance.
No hay mal que dure cien años, ni cuerpo que lo resista (Perseverance)
No hay mal que por bien no venga (Hope)
De tal palo, tal astilla Mexico > Hijo de tigre, pintito.
A dónde fueres, haz lo que vieres (Adaptability)
Thank you for your contribution. Gracias por su aporte.
Spanish Language & Cultural Solutions 